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Holiday in the Hammock

Merchants hope event will draw local shoppers

Paul Baliker stands in his Hammock Gallery. Baliker and other local artists will be exhibiting and selling their work at the first Holiday in the Hammock art and gallery tour.

News-Journal/BARBARA SALTER

BARBARA SALTERSTAFF WRITER

Published: Saturday, November 24, 2012 at 5:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, November 21, 2012 at 5:35 p.m.

PALM COAST — Members of the newly formed Hammock Business Association are setting their sights on promoting the area's first Holiday in the Hammock arts and gallery tour.

The Dec. 1 event is intended to herald the holidays by showcasing the work of local artists and promoting the many businesses nestled throughout the Hammock on the easternmost side of the county.

"The Hammock was here before Palm Coast and yet many people are not familiar with many of the businesses located here," said Richard McCleery, who is spearheading the event. "We also have a treasure of talented artists in the Hammock, including at least two who are nationally — perhaps internationally — known. The tour will be a great way for folks to get to know the wonderful resources we have here in the Hammock."

Ten businesses, including five art galleries or studios, will participate in the tour. Other local artists have been invited to exhibit their work as well. All of the artists will pay a fee to be part of Holiday in the Hammock and proceeds will benefit the Flagler Beach Rotary Club's Project Share program, which helps make Christmas dreams come true for local children in need.

"Holiday in the Hammock is a great way for us to focus on our local talent and, at the same time, benefit the Rotary Club's worthwhile charity," said Janine Regina Fonseca, owner of Hammock Gardens Nursery, which will be celebrating its sixth anniversary that day. She and Laura Giadone, who owns Hammock Décor, are recruiting artists for the event.

Fonseca anticipates that 10 to 15 artists will be showing and selling their work at Hammock Gardens.

"We're still recruiting artists," she said. "We expect a similar number to display their work at Sharon Goerlich's photography studio and at some of the other sponsoring businesses."

Goerlich is one of the Hammock's newest businesses. Sharon Goerlich Photography will have its official grand opening on Dec. 1 in conjunction with the Holiday in the Hammock event. Goerlich, who specializes in event photography, moved her business to the Hammock from Flagler Beach.

"I just love the area," she said. "It just felt right here. It's a great location in a great neighborhood."

Sculpture Paul Baliker, whose studio is across the street from Goerlich's photo studio, agrees. He has worked and lived in the Hammock for 16 years and is pleased that the Hammock is getting the word out.

"I think it's a good idea for the business community to get some PR," he said. "This is one of the last undeveloped areas and it won't last forever. We should enjoy it as much as we can."

Baliker said he'd like to see Holiday in the Hammock become a tradition.

All of the participating businesses will have something going on during the event. Several will have live music and holiday refreshments. Santa will be at Hammock Gardens. There will also be two stops to buy tickets for a drawing to benefit the Flagler Rotary's Project Share.

Visitors will be encouraged to stop at each of the participating businesses through "Hop Stop" Passports with a treat at either Captain's BBQ or JT's Seafood Shack awaiting those who have their passports stamped at every Holiday in the Hammock location.

"It's going to be a fun day with something for everyone," said McCleery. "So often we hear people say, 'gee, we didn't even know you guys were here.' Holiday in the Hammock is the perfect time to come out and get to know the Hammock."

If you go

WHAT: Holiday in the Hammock, art and gallery tour at businesses in The Hammock, north of the bridge

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 1

WHERE: In and around Oceanshore Blvd. Signs will mark participating businesses

<p>PALM COAST &mdash; Members of the newly formed Hammock Business Association are setting their sights on promoting the area's first Holiday in the Hammock arts and gallery tour. </p><p>The Dec. 1 event is intended to herald the holidays by showcasing the work of local artists and promoting the many businesses nestled throughout the Hammock on the easternmost side of the county. </p><p>"The Hammock was here before Palm Coast and yet many people are not familiar with many of the businesses located here," said Richard McCleery, who is spearheading the event. "We also have a treasure of talented artists in the Hammock, including at least two who are nationally &mdash; perhaps internationally &mdash; known. The tour will be a great way for folks to get to know the wonderful resources we have here in the Hammock." </p><p>Ten businesses, including five art galleries or studios, will participate in the tour. Other local artists have been invited to exhibit their work as well. All of the artists will pay a fee to be part of Holiday in the Hammock and proceeds will benefit the Flagler Beach Rotary Club's Project Share program, which helps make Christmas dreams come true for local children in need. </p><p>"Holiday in the Hammock is a great way for us to focus on our local talent and, at the same time, benefit the Rotary Club's worthwhile charity," said Janine Regina Fonseca, owner of Hammock Gardens Nursery, which will be celebrating its sixth anniversary that day. She and Laura Giadone, who owns Hammock Décor, are recruiting artists for the event. </p><p>Fonseca anticipates that 10 to 15 artists will be showing and selling their work at Hammock Gardens. </p><p>"We're still recruiting artists," she said. "We expect a similar number to display their work at Sharon Goerlich's photography studio and at some of the other sponsoring businesses." </p><p>Goerlich is one of the Hammock's newest businesses. Sharon Goerlich Photography will have its official grand opening on Dec. 1 in conjunction with the Holiday in the Hammock event. Goerlich, who specializes in event photography, moved her business to the Hammock from Flagler Beach. </p><p>"I just love the area," she said. "It just felt right here. It's a great location in a great neighborhood." </p><p>Sculpture Paul Baliker, whose studio is across the street from Goerlich's photo studio, agrees. He has worked and lived in the Hammock for 16 years and is pleased that the Hammock is getting the word out. </p><p>"I think it's a good idea for the business community to get some PR," he said. "This is one of the last undeveloped areas and it won't last forever. We should enjoy it as much as we can." </p><p>Baliker said he'd like to see Holiday in the Hammock become a tradition. </p><p>In addition to Hammock Gardens, Sharon Goerlich Photography and the Baliker Gallery, other Holiday in the Hammock participants include Bess Studio, Captains BBQ at Bing's Landing, Hammock Wine and Cheese, Art La May Gallery, Hammock Wellness, Sandra Pierce Art Studio and JT's Seafood Shack. </p><p>All of the participating businesses will have something going on during the event. Several will have live music and holiday refreshments. Santa will be at Hammock Gardens. There will also be two stops to buy tickets for a drawing to benefit the Flagler Rotary's Project Share. </p><p>Visitors will be encouraged to stop at each of the participating businesses through "Hop Stop" Passports with a treat at either Captain's BBQ or JT's Seafood Shack awaiting those who have their passports stamped at every Holiday in the Hammock location. </p><p>"It's going to be a fun day with something for everyone," said McCleery. "So often we hear people say, 'gee, we didn't even know you guys were here.' Holiday in the Hammock is the perfect time to come out and get to know the Hammock."</p><p><b> If you go </b> </p><p><b>WHAT:</b> Holiday in the Hammock, art and gallery tour at businesses in The Hammock, north of the bridge</p><p><b>WHEN:</b> 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 1</p><p><b>WHERE:</b> In and around Oceanshore Blvd. Signs will mark participating businesses</p><p><b>COST:</b> Free</p>